Dignity, San Francisco May, 1999

Co-Chairs’ Report

"OFF TO A RUNNING START"

Gilbert Gonzalez and Gino Ramos

We hope you are all enjoying this spring as we continue to celebrate the Easter Octave. As your new co-chairs, we are off to a running start beginning with our participation in the Interfaith Service held at the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento as part of the Equality Begins at Home campaign on March 21, 1999. Hank Tavera represented our chapter as he spoke of his experience as a gay latino Catholic. Also present were Tom Kaun, Vladimir Maldonado, Paul Riofski and Kehau Wessel.

On another note, your chapter came out in support of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. (SPII) 20th anniversary celebration at the Castro on Easter Sunday, April 4. The controversy was sparked by a commentary in the March 12th issue of Catholic San Francisco. We issued a press release that was printed in the March 25th issue of the Bay Area Reporter. Moreover, we spoke at the SPII’s national conference held on March 29. We were also part of the opening ceremonies on Easter Sunday itself wherein we joined SPII’s call for healing in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community which experienced division over the controversy.

Our 16th Annual Pax et Bonum Awards night was held on March 27, 1999 at the 30th Floor of the Crowne Plaza at Union Square in San Francisco. Over a hundred came together to honor and celebrate our awardees this year: Gino Ramos, Hank Tavera and Paul Woolley of Dignity/San Francisco; James Gabbert, former owner of KOFY TV20 and the San Francisco - San Mateo Secretariat of the Cursillo Movement. Kudos to the Pax et Bonum Committee who made it all possible - Henry Chau, chair; Steven Bucholtz, Bob Monitjo, Jim Paz and Chuck Perryman.

Our Chapter sponsored and participated in the United Farm Workers’ second annual Walk for Justice to benefit the rights of strawberry workers in California. We thank the following members who showed their commitment to social justice by their presence at the walk: Steven Bucholtz, Aurora Grajeda, Vladimir Maldonado, Chuck Perryman, Gino Ramos, Paul Riofski, Hank Tavera, Angelo Wong and Salvador.

Dignity/San Francisco held its first Annual Musicfest on April 17 to benefit our outreach efforts to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC). The impressive array of multitalented performers who generously volunteered their time and talent include the Dignity/San Francisco Choir, TJ and Sheba (Emperor and Empress of San Francisco), Doug Stevens, Garrin Benfield, Diane Burns and Emory Frank. Our thanks to Wanda Redman for being the emcee, Patrick Lane and Michael Reardon for setting up the sound system, Jim Paz, Chuck Perryman and Emily Weaver for promoting, ushering and for the reception. Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our Defenders/San Francisco brothers for co-sponsoring the event.

The Pacific Regional Meeting was hosted by our Chapter the weekend of April 16 and 17. The meeting was a success. Our Chapter was represented by Gilbert Gonzalez and Raul Salazar-Puente. Our delegates’ gratitude goes to all who hosted attendees at their homes, drove them around and helped in preparing the meals. Special thanks to Jim Remer for the reception held at his home Friday night, The Defenders who prepared a delicious dinner Saturday night, Paul Woolley who coordinated housing and transportation and Raul Salazar-Puente for coordinating all the meals.

We would like to welcome new members of the Board of Directors: Jim Paz, David Turner and Bob Yeargin as Directors-at-Large. Congratulations to the new Chair of the Membership Committee - David Turner. We look forward to a harmonious, fun-filled, prayerful and fruitful term. We ask for your prayers and support as your servant-leaders propel us towards the next millennium.

See you next ish, dahlings...